Coram Voice launches writing competition

Coram Voice launches writing competition to celebrate the voices of care-experienced children and young people 

     

Following the success of ‘Voices’, its first ever national writing competition in 2016, Coram Voice is excited to open the competition for a second year on 9 January.

 

The charity, which provides a range of services for children and young people in and around the care system, is launching Voices 2017 as a platform for care-experienced young people to express their creative talents.

 

The theme of this year’s competition is ‘New Beginnings’ and Coram Voice is asking children and young people to draw inspiration from a change in their lives or opportunities they’ve experienced to try something new.

 

The competition is grouped in three age categories: primary school, secondary school and care leavers, with a special additional award for migrant children in care or care leavers. Entries, which can be submitted online from 9 January until 21 February, can be in any written style including poems, short stories or newspaper articles, with a 500 word limit.

 

The entries for Voices 2017 will be judged by a panel of authors, journalists and writers including:

 

·         Alex Wheatle, winner of the 2016 Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize

·         Jackie Long, Social Affairs Editor for Channel 4 News

·         Jenny Molloy, author of ‘Hackney Child’

·         Paolo Hewitt, music journalist, writer and author of ‘The Looked After Kid’

·         Nikesh Shukla, writer and editor of ‘The Good Immigrant’

·         Keren David, author of young adult fiction including ‘Salvage’

·         Luke Stevenson, Children’s Social Care Journalist for Community Care

Winners will be announced by the judges at an awards ceremony in London on 10 April.

 

One of the judges, Keren David commented: “I am delighted to be on the judging panel. Young people in care are full of talent and potential and their voices need to be heard.”

 

Steven, winner of the Secondary School category for Voices 2016 said: “I didn’t think I’d win so I was really happy when they said I had. I’ve since had the opportunity to read my story to my year group and at other events.

 

“I’d say to this year’s entrants – think back to your past, and put in what you can remember. Even if you think you can’t win – as I did – you never know, just try your best.”

 

For more information about Voices 2017, how to enter and prizes, please visitcoramvoice.org.uk/voices-2017.